- Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq lost 2-1 to Slaven Bilic’s Al Fateh
- Al Fateh are fifth in the table, ahead of Al-Ettifaq on goal difference
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Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq conceded an injury time goal to lose 2-1 to Al Fateh in the blockbuster fixture of the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League.
Former Trabzonspor striker Djaniny scored a 93rd minute goal as Slaven Bilic’s side secured all the three points on Thursday night.
Al-Ettifaq, who are captained by former Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson, had taken the lead midway through the second half thanks to a Moussa Dembele goal.
But the visitors first found an equaliser with just five minutes left through Lucas Zelarayan, before Djaniny sealed a late win deep into stoppage time.
Ahead of the kick-off, Gerrard and Bilic greeted each other warmly on the sideline.
Steven Gerrard (left) and Slaven Bilic (right) crossed path as their respective teams met in the ninth round of the Saudi Pro League on Thursday night
The former Premier League stars shared a warm embrace before the match kicked off
The duo crossed path in the Premier League in Gerrard’s first two seasons at Liverpool, which coincided with Bilic’s spell across Stanley Park at Everton.
By the time the Croatian returned to the Premier League to take charge of West Ham in 2015, Gerrard’s MLS adventure was in its infancy after he left Liverpool at the end of the previous season.
Thursday night’s result sees Al Fateh climbed to fifth in the table with 17 points after nine games, ahead of Al-Ettifaq on goal difference.
Al-Taawoun lead the Saudi Pro League with 22 points, two and three points clear of Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad respectively, both of which have one game in hand over the league leaders.
Bilic had the last laugh as Al Fateh came from a goal down to score two late goals to seal a remarkable win courtesy of Djaniny’s 93rd minute winner
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are fourth with 18 points and they too have a game in hand over Al-Taawoun.
Al-Nassr host on Abha at 4pm BST on Friday, with Al-Hilal facing Al Akhdoud away at the same time.
The 7pm BST kick-offs see Al-Ittihad host Al-Ahli Saudi, while Al-Raed and Al Feiha travel to face Al-Khaleji and Al-Wehda respectively.
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